Roussel Frozen Out of Action While Hebert Rides Hot Streak

Guy Hebert continues to deflect most of what is fired at him and Dominic Roussel continues to cool his skates on the bench. Such is the life of a backup goalie.

Roussel started the Ducks’ first game, when Hebert was out because of an injured shoulder. Roussel stopped 33 of 34 shots in a 1-0 loss to Washington. He hasn’t played since and Hebert has been on top of his game.

So Tuesday, Roussel spent extra time in the net after practice.

“Yeah, I’m anxious to get in there,” Roussel said. “All I can do is try to stay sharp, like today. If you can stop a puck in practice, you can stop the puck in the game. Guys have more time to wind up in practice. It keeps me ready.”

Coach Craig Hartsburg had said he might play Roussel last weekend, when the Ducks had games against Dallas and St. Louis on successive nights. He started Hebert in both.

“I kind of lobbied for that,” Hebert said. “You always want to get in a groove. You don’t want to play two games, sit one, play three, sit one.”

The schedule has given Hartsburg the luxury of using Hebert exclusively, as the Ducks have had long stretches between games.

“I’ve been in Dom’s situation and it’s tough,” Hebert said. “I would go five weeks without playing, then be thrown in there.”

A skill a backup needs.

“All the good ones can step in and play,” Hartsburg said. “We’ll see if Dom has that skill.”

*

The Ducks spent the last two days trying to fix their power play. They have four goals in 45 power plays.

TONIGHT vs. St. Louis

7:30 p.m., Fox Sports West 2

* Site--The Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 3-3-3, Blues 4-3-2.

* Record vs. the Blues--0-0-1.

* Update--The Ducks’ unbeaten streak, now at 3-0-3, continued where it was expected to end. They survived tough games at Dallas and St. Louis, getting ties in both. The Blues still are waiting for winger Jim Campbell to score. He was one of the reasons Brett Hull was considered expendable. But Campbell, who had 22 goals last season, is without a goal and hasn’t had an assist since the third game.